While you may think it doesn’t matter what technicians are called if they get the same pay, moving toward the technician title adds professionalism to the industry and better reflects what modern technicians actually do.

Recruiting and retaining qualified personnel, succession planning, and staff development rank as the top challenges for state and local governments for the second year in a row, according to a recently released survey.

The Clean Fuel Advanced Technology (CFAT) project aims in part to develop a professional Smart Fleet management training program that will provide tools and information to increase fleet efficiency through the use of low carbon fuels, technologies, practices, and policies.

The National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium (NAFTC), in partnership with the Tulsa Area Clean Cities (TACC), launched three newly developed alternative-fuel vehicle first responder safety training classes at Tulsa Community College in Oklahoma.

Government Fleet is accepting nominations of fleet managers, supervisors, technicians, analysts, etc., under 40 who have contributed to their own operations or show potential as emerging fleet leaders.

The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence (ASE) has a new E-learning program. Consisting of four e-learning training modules and a separate quiz, the program focuses on awareness of entry-level tasks related to basic automobile service.

Attendees to the Dallas-Fort Worth Public Fleet Summit, produced by Government Fleet and GST, will have the benefit of two tracks to choose from — one for new and aspiring public works fleet managers and the other for those with more experience.

Fleet managers must consider how the addition of alternative-fuel vehicles changes fleet maintenance and repair. For those deciding to keep this in-house, there are various options available for technician training.

The City of Orlando’s Fleet Management administration team developed an aggressive training curriculum approximately two years ago; the results are ASE Blue Seal certification and becoming a warranty provider for the Detroit automakers.

Provincial capital city Edmonton, Alberta, has the largest integrated municipal fleet operation in Canada and has earned numerous accolades for major improvements made over the last few years. However, focus on workplace culture may be its most significant achievement to date.

LEESBURG, VA - For fleet managers whose employees are interested in taking these exams, ASE stated that testing ends August 31 and that those interested can register any time through August 24 at www.myASE.com.